Removable vented spout



July 3, 1962 c. R. STEARNS REMOVABLE VENTED SPOUT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1959 ATTOR/VEVJ' July 3, 1962 c. R. STEARNS REMOVABLE VENTED SPOUT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1959 'IIIIIIIIIIIII'IIII awn r0? CHARLEJ fiaafR-r JTEARA/J ATTORNEYS Unite htates Patent Dfilice 3,!)42273 Patented July 3, 1962 3,042,270 REMOVABLE VENTED SPOUT Charles R. Stearns, 2550 High St., Oakland, Calif. Filed Dec. 21, B59, Ser. No. 861,421 14 Claims. (Cl. 222-484) The present invention relates to a vented spout adapted for removable attachment to containers for facilitating the pouring of liquids therefrom. This application is a continuation in part of the co-pending application Ser. No. 775,466, filed November 21, 1958, now abandoned, by the present inventor for Removable Vented Spout."

There is provided by this invention a vented spout which readily engages and disengages containers having a wide variety of opening sizes. Not only is the spout vented so that pouring therethrough is uninterrupted by air intake to the container, but'also the spout includes afixed closure means whereby same may be selectively sealed or uncovered. This spout closure provides for sealing a container upon which the spout is affixed and for opening the spout for pouring with the closure means remaining in attachment but fully displaced from the spout opening.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved removable vented spout adapted for connection to conventional containers of widely varying opening sizes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a removable vented spout having permanently aifixed closure means selectively movable between closed and open position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vented spout having resilient means for firm removable attachment of same to containers about openings of various sizes therein.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide in a removable vented spout resilient attachment means together with spout closure means movable between sealing relation to the spout and attached open position away from the spout opening.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred forms of the invention which are illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of the spout attached to a container with a portion of the container broken away as indicated.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view of the spout in center section showing same attached to a container and closed, the plane of the view being indicated by line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is another enlarged cross-sectional elevational view on a larger scale of the spout in a center section, rotated ninety degrees from the view of FIG- URE 2, showing the spout open and attached to a container.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the spout taken in the plane 44' of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a view of the spout taken in the same longitudinal center plane as FIGURE 3 and showing the spout disconnected from a container.

FIGURE 6 is an elevation view, in section, of a second embodiment of the invention shown together with portions of an associated container.

FIGURE 7 is a cross-section view taken along line 77 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a staggered section view taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is an exterior elevation view of the pouring spout of FIGURES 6 through 8 shown attached to a container and showing the container tilted for decanting of fluid therein.

Considering now the removable spout of this invention in some detail and referring first to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that the spout 11 includes an elongated tube 12 having a cap 13 upon the outer end thereof and a flange 14 about the inner or base end. This base flange 14 is made at least in part of a resilient material to sealingly engage a container 16 about an opening 17 therein. The container 16 may include a threaded stub cylinder 18 extending through a wall 19 thereof to define the opening 17 and accept a container cap (not shown). A vent pipe 21 extends downward from the spout tube 12 for insertion in the container through the container opening 17. This vent tube extends laterally outward of the spout and back upwards, substantially as shown, so as to dispose the inner end thereof above the level of liquid 22 in the container and away from the container opening for elficient venting action. There are also provided resilient attachment means 23 depending from the spout tube and adapted for disposition within the container. These atachment means are operable, as described below, from the spout cap 13 to firmly engage the container in removable relation thereto whereby the spout is sealed to the container about the opening 17 therein.

Referring to the spout construction in more detail as shown in FIGURES 2-5, it may be seen that the tube flange 14 includes a rigid flange 26 disposed about the exterior of the tube adjacent the lower end thereof with an annular resilient member 27 secured beneath the flange 26 and about the tube 12. This resilient member 27 is formed with a decreasing cross-section toward the lower end of the tube, preferably with a curved outer surface as shown, so as to readily engage a container about openings of various size therein. Sealing connection of the spout to the container is herein obtained by pressing the tube against the container to deform the resilient member 27 about the container stub cylinder 18. This forceable contact between spout and container is obtained and maintained by the attachment means presently to be described.

The spout attachment means includes a bar 31 depending from a resilient member such as a helical spring 32 disposed axially of the tube 12. The bar 31 is adapted for disposition within the container 16 and is pivotally connected to the spring 32 at a point displaced from the center of the bar so that the bar normally hangs at an angle to horizontal for easy insertion in the container opening as indicated in FIGURE 5 of the drawing. As it is desired that the bar be operable to extend across the container opening inside the container, the shortest end of the bar from the pivot point out is made larger than the radius of the container opening 17. Also, as the bar is adapted to normally hang at an angle, the bar may be weighted at one end rather than lengthened and in order for the bar to firmly engage the container wall the upper surface 30 of the bar is flattened.

Mounting of the spring 32 is accomplished by a vertical slide bar or latch 33 having an inverted cup 34 at the bottom thereof fitting within the upper end of the spring and afiixed thereto. Atop the latch 33 there is formed a lateral fork 36 and a rod 37 extends through the same and through a small opening in the top of the cup, terminating in an expanded portion ball 38 at the bottom of the rod 37. The rod 37 is disposed axially of the tube 12 and extends in rotatable relation through the cap 13 with a knob 39 atop the cap and a flange 41 beneath same so as to move vertically with the cap. Additionally, there is provided a guide bar 42 extending laterally into the tube from a side thereof adjacent the top of the tube and having a recessed end at the tube axis through which the rod 37 extends. The vent pipe 21 terminates at its upper end in abutting relation to the lower surface of the guide bar 42 while an opening extending through the vent pipe and the tube 12 provides vent pipe communication with the atmosphere. As illustrated, the cap 13 threadably engages the tube 12 to seal the tube and vent pipe.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the rod 37 extends axially of the tube from the cap 13 downward through guide bar recess, latch fork 36 and inverted cup 34. The ball 38 at the bottom of the rod 37 has a sufficient size to forceably mate with the cup 34, i.e., the bail may be forced into the cup and will stay therein until forced out of the cup.

Engagement of the spout with a container 16 such as illustrated is accomplished as shown in FIGURE by setting the spout onto the container with the resilient flange member 27 resting upon the stub cylinder 18 and the bar 31 hanging into the container through the container opening 17. The vent pipe 21 also extends through the opening 17. With the cap 13 unscrewed, the cap and attached rod 37 is then raised from the tube so that the ball 38 engages the cup 34 and in turn raises same in the tube. As the cup 34 is raised the spring 32 attached to the cup is raised to pull the bar upwards so that first one end of same contacts the inner side of the container Wall 19. Continued raising of the cap and thus the spring 32 raises the bar to pivot same until both ends of the bar firmly engage the container wall 19 on opposite sides of the opening 17. In this position the spout is engaging the container; however, in order to seal the connection and firmly anchor same the cap is further withdrawn from the tube to stretch the spring 32 until the latch fork can be placed upon the guide bar. This latter operation is readily accomplished by swinging the cap slightly outward radially of the tube to clear the guide bar with the latch fork and then swinging same back to rest the latch fork upon the guide bar, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The spout is then in the position illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 with the extended spring 32 pressing the crossbar 31 tightly upwards against the container while at the same time pressing the resilient flange member 27 tightly downward onto the container cylinder 18.

In the above described spout position, shown in FIG- URE 3, the spout is in condition for pouring of liquids from the container. The cap remains raised well beyond the end of the tube so as not to impede the flow of fluids through the tube and the vent pipe 21 is disposed to channel air into the container above the liquid level to replace fluids poured from the container. Following any pouring operation with the spout of this invention it is possible to reseal the container without removing the spout. This operation is readily accomplished by pressing downward on the cap so that the ball, attached to the cap by the rod 37 is dislodged from the cup 34. The cap then falls downward onto the tube with the ball passing down ward through the spring 32 and with the cap on the tube the cap may be threaded onto the tube to seal same, suitable gaskets being provided as required. Re-use of the spout entails only unscrewing the cap from the tube and moving same upwards until the ball reaches the cup and then pulling upwards on the cap to force the ball into the cup, whereby the cap remains raised until forced downward. During cap raising and lowering after spout connection to the container the rod moves axially of the tube as it is constrained by the mating latch fork and guide bar as shown in FIGURE 4 as well as the lateral restraint of the ball by the spring.

Removal of the spout proceeds directly from the position just described and shown in FIGURE 5 in that the cap is pulled further upwards to raise the latch fork from the guide bar and then swinging the cap and latch bar then engaging the rod outwards and around the guide bar. Further lowering of the cap releases the spring tension and lowers the cross bar so that same pivots away from the container wall 19. The spout may then be simply removed from the container and re-used with another container.

Referring now to FIGURE 6 there is shown a differing form of the invention with which the cover may be removed from the axis of the spout when fluid is to be decanted. The spout, indicated generally at 43, is shown engaged on a circular liquid container 44 which is again of the class having an opening 46 in the upper surface above which opening a threaded stub cylinder 47 is secured for receiving a threaded cap.

The pouring spout 43 comprises a hollow cylindrical tube 48 having a flange 49 just above the lower end, which flange inclines upwardly and outwardly and the peripheral portion of which is turned downward. To provide a seal whereby the flange 49 may be disposed against the mouth of stub cylinder 47 without leakage of liquid, an annular resilient element 51, which may be formed of cork, for example, is secured against the undersurface of flange 49.

To provide for the intake of air into container 44 as liquid is decanted therefrom, a vent pipe 52 extends longitudinally within tube 48 adjacent to the interior wall thereof. To secure the vent pipe 52 in position, the upper end thereof is entered into a relatively short cylinder 53 which cylinder is in turn secured to the interior wall of tube 48 in the upper portion thereof. The upper end of cylinder 53 is closed by a shelf member 54 which extends radially inward from the tube wall at an elevation somewhat below the upper end thereof. The lower end of vent pipe 52 extends downwardly from tube '48 and is curved laterally outward therefrom for a substantial distance so that the pipe communicates with the uppermost region of the container 44 at a point remote from the side of the container at which liquid is to be poured. The cross sectional area of the vent pipe as well as the length thereof is such as to insure full and uninterrupted decanting of liquid from the container. To provide for the intake of air into the vent pipe 52, a vent aperture 56 transpierces the wall of tube 48 and cylinder 53 just below the level of shelf 54.

To close the spout, and thus the container 44, a cylindrical cap 57 is flttable over the upper end of tube 48, the upper end of the tube being slightly tapered so that the cap may be tightly jambed thereon. The wall 58 of the cap 57 is of suflicient length to extend down over vent aperture 56 when the cap is in place on tube 48 to provide for complete sealing of the container 44.

To provide an advantageous means for holding the cap 57 at such times as it is removed from the upper end of tube 48 for decanting of the container, a rectangular boss 59 is formed on the upper surface of the cap into which boss a short bore 61 is formed. An upright cylindrical peg 62 is formed on the upper periphery of flange 49, the peg being of the same size and shape as bore 61 so that the cap 57 may be attached to the flange as will hereinafter be described in more detail.

Considering now the means by which the spout 43 is tightly held on container 44, a cross-bar 63 is provided beneath the tube 48, the cross-bar being, in this instance, a rod having a loop 64 formed at an intermediate position thereon. The loop 64 is situated at a position to one side of the center of gravity of the cross-bar so that the ends of the bar which project in opposite directions from the loop are of unequal'length, each of the ends being, however, of greater length than the radius of the container opening 46. Thus if the crossbar 63 is suspended by means of the loop 64, it will assume a somewhat vertical alignment and can be lowered through opening 46, a subsequent lifting of the bar causing the ends of the bar to abut against the underside of the top of container 44.

The loop 64 is attached to the lower end of a helical tension spring 66 which spring extends upwardly through tube 48. A length of chain '67 is attached tothe upper end of spring 66 so that by pulling upwardly on the chain, the spring may be extended and caused to hold the cross-bar 63 tightly against the undersur-face of the container top. If the chain 67 is then latched to the tube 48, the entire pouring spout will be held in position on the container.

Considering now provision for accomplishing the latching of chain 67 to tube 48, reference will be made to 'FIGURES 7 and 8 in particular. The chain 67 is of the type characterized by spaced lateral protuberances, for example eyelets 68 formed as an element of each link. A small slot 69, directed diametrically with respect to the tube 48, is provided in the shelf 54 and the extremity of the shelf, on each side of the slot, is turned upward. Thus any selected portion of the chain 67 may be entered in the slot 69 and will be held thereat inasmuch as the eyelets 68 of the chain cannot pass through the slot.

Referring now again to 'FIGURE 6, it may be seen that spring 66 may be held in a state of extension by the above described latching means and will act to urge the tube 48 downwardly against the container and to hold the pouring spout in position thereon. It will further be observed that the tension of the extended spring acts to press the rim of stub cylinder 47 into the resilient annulus 51 thereby insuring that no leakage will occur at the base of the spout. At such time as cap 57 is in place on the upper end of tube 48, the surplusage 71 of chain 7 may be draped within the upper portion of tube 48.

To facilitate the emplacement of crossbar 63 within the container, and to facilitate the manual distension of spring 66, as well as to attach the cross-bar, spring, and chain 67 to tube '48 in such a manner that the foregoing elements cannot become separated from the remainder of the spout, the upper end of chain 67 is secured to cap 57, the chain end being entered in a well 72 in the cap and being held therein by a cross-pin 73 extending transversely through boss 59.

In operation, whatever cap may be present on the container 44 is removed, and the pouring spout 43 is held over opening 46. By grasping cap 57 and lifting upwardly and outwardly thereon, the chain 67 is disengaged from shelf 54. Cap 57 is then lowered to drop cross-bar 63 into the container 44. The cap '57 is then raised in such a manner as to cause the cross-bar 63 to abut against the underside of the upper wall of the container 44 and is then raised somewhat further to distend spring 66. With the spring in a state of extension, the cap 57 is moved laterally to engage chain 57 in the slotted shelf 54 thus securing the spout 43 to the container 44. The excess length 71 of chain 57 is then deposited within the upper portion of the tube 48 and the cap 57 is fitted on the upper end thereof to seal the container.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, the preferred method of decanting container 44 is shown. In particular, the cap 57 is removed from the top of tube 48 and fastened to the flange 49, the peg 62 thereof being entered into the bore 61 in the top of the cap. The container 44 may then be tilted to pour fluid therefrom after which the cap 57 is again engaged on the top of tube 48.

What is claimed is:

1. In a removable spout attachable over an opening in a container, the combination comprising a tube having provision at a lower end for disposition against said opening, a removable cover engageable at the upper end of said tube, a resilient element extending longitudinally with said tube, a cross member secured to the lower end of said resilient element and "having laterally extending portions for abutment against the inside surface of said container adjacent said opening therein, and means for attaching the upper end of said resilient element to said tube.

2. In a removable pouring spout engageable at an opening in a container, the combination comprising a hollow tube having an annular resilient member at a lower end which member is disposable against said opening, a relasable cover closing the upper end of said tube, a vent pipe extending downward therefrom and laterally therefrom at the lower end, a resilient element disposed longitudinally within said tube, a cross-piece secured to the lower end of said resilient element and extending laterally within said container, and a latch for releasably attaching the upper end of said resilient element to said tube within the interior thereof.

3. A dismountable pouring spout for use over an opening in a container comprising, in combination, a cylindrical tube, an annular resilient element disposed at the lower end of said tube in coaxial relationship therewith, a vent pipe extending within said tube and downwardly and outwardly therefrom, a resilient element extending longitudinally within said tube, a crossbar secured to the lower end of said resilient element beneath said tube, a cover engageable on the upper end of said tube, an inelastic element having a lower end connected to the upper end of said resilient element and having an upper end connected to said cover whereby removal of said cover from said tube acts to extend said resilient element, said inelastic element having at least one laterally projecting poution, and an inwardly projecting latch secured to said tube on which said laterally projecting portion of said inelastic element may be caught to hold said resilient element in a state of extension.

4. A removable spout for a container comprising a tube having a vent pipe therethrough and depending therefrom, resilient sealing means about the bottom of said tube for engaging the exterior of the container about an opening therein, a cap removably engaging said tube at the top thereof for sealing same and having a rod depending therefrom, a tension spring about said rod, a cross bar pivotally connected to said spring at the bot torn thereof and depending from said tube, a latch bar secured to the top of said spring and disposed in slidable relation about said rod whereby said rod is limitedly slidable in said spring, and a guide bar affixed within said tube in position to engage said latch bar in extended spring position whereby movement of said cap tensions said spring to engage said cross bar with the container interiorly thereof while compressing the resilient sealing means onto the exterior of said container.

5. A removable spout as defined in claim 4 further characterized by said cross bar having a greater length than the diameter of container opening to be engaged by the spout and the point of pivotal connectionof said spring to said cross bar being displaced from the center of gravity of said cross bar.

6. A removable spout as defined in claim 4 further characterized by said latch bar defining an inverted cup at the bottom thereof to which said spring is afiixed and said rod having an expanded lower end beneath said cup dimensioned relative to said cup for forceable entry into and displacement from said cup.

7. A removable spout comprising a tube having a flanged lower end with a resilient sealing undersurface, a vent pipe extending through said tube and depending therefrom with said tube extending laterally of said tube beneath same and back upwards toward the tube flange for providing an air passage, a helical tension spring depending from said tube, a cross bar having a length greater than the diameter of a container opening and pivotally connected to spring at the bottom thereof beneath said tube at a point on said cross bar displaced from the center of gravity thereof, a cap removably engaging the top of said tube in sealing relation thereto and having a rod depending therefrom with an expanded lower end slidably disposed within said spring, a latch bar including an inverted cup afiixed within the top of said spring with said rod slidably extending therethrough and a fork connected to said cup toward the tube top therefrom, said cup and rod extension having relative dimensions to accommodate forceable insertion and withdrawal of said rod extension in said cup, and a guide bar afiixed within said tube and having a recessed end about said rod for receiving said latch bar fork over same in extended spring position to secure said spout to a container in sealing relation and provide controlled cap movement.

8. A removable pouring spout engageable over an opening in a container comprising, in combination, a hollow tube having an annular resilient element at a lower end for disposition against said opening, a cover engageable with the upper end of said tube, a resilient element extending longitudinally within said tube, a cross-piece secured to the lower end of said resilient element beneath said tube, a flexible element having a lower end secured to the upper end of said resilient element, and latch means disposed within said tube for releasably attaching said flexible element to said tube.

9. In a removable pouring spout attachable over an opening in a container, the combination comprising a hollow tube, a resilient annular seal disposed against a lower end of said tube, a vent pipe extending longitudinally within said tube and extending downwardly and laterally therefrom, an elastic member disposed longitudinally within said tube, a cross bar secured to the lower end of said elastic member, an inelastic flexible element having a lower end secured to said elastic member and having a plurality of spaced apart lateral protuberances, a shelf secured within said tube and projecting radially inward therein upon which shelf a selected one of said protuberances on said inelastic member may be caught to hold said elastic member ina state of extension, and a cover engageable on the upper end of said tube said cover being attached to the upper end of said inelastic member.

10. A removable pouring spout substantially as described in claim 9 wherein said shelf is provided with a slot aligned radially with respect to said tube into which slot said inelastic element may be entered to hold said elastic element in extension.

11. A removable pouring spout fastenable over an opening in a container comprising, in combination, a hollow cylindrical tube having a flange at the lower extremity, an annular resilient seal secured against said flange, a

cover releasably engaged on the upper end of said tube, a vent pipe extending through said tube and extending below said tube and laterally therefrom, a resilient element disposed within said tube, a cross-bar beneath said tube, an intermediate point on said cross-bar being attached to said resilient element, a linked chain having one end secured to said resilient element, and the opposite end secured to said cover said chain being of the class having spaced laterally protuberant portions, and a shelf secured within the upper portion of said tube and having a slot for receiving a selected portion of said chain, said slot being of less width than said protuberant portions of said chain whereby said resilient element may be held in an extended state.

12. A removable pouring spout substantially as described in claim 11 and comprising the further combination of a fastener for attaching said cover to the exterior of said tube when said cover is removed from said upper end thereof.

13. A removable pouring spout substantially as described in claim 11 and wherein said resilient element comprises a helical tension spring.

14. A removable pouring spout engageable at an opening in a container comprising a hollow tube having an annular resilient member at a lower end which member is disposable against said opening, a releasable cover closing the upper end of said tube, a vent pipe extending downward therefrom and laterally therefrom at the lower end, a resilient element disposed longitudinally within said tube, a cross-piece secured to the lower end of said resilient element and extending laterally within said container, and a latch for releasably attaching the upper end of said resilient element to said tube within the interior thereof, said latch comprising a first member projecting inward from the wall of said tube and a second member secured to said resilient'element and projecting laterally from the axis thereof whereby the undersurface of said second member may be engaged against the upper surface of said first member to hold said resilient element in a'state of extension.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 779,178 Perotti Ian. 3, 1905 998,352 Kublin July 18, 1911 1,517,644 Kruger Dec. 2, 1924 2,333,952 Pollifrone Nov. 9, 1943 

